State re-opens wildlife management areas in Otoe and Cass counties

Nebraska Game and Parks have reopened Hamburg Bend in Otoe County and Tobacco Island in Cass County.

The two wildlife management areas were closed following Missouri River fllooding in 2011.

Two state wildlife management areas in southeast Nebraska along the Missouri River have reopened to public access.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission said Hamburg Bend in Otoe County and Tobacco Island in Cass County have reopened.

The wildlife management area had been closed so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could repair levies and river chutes. The work is completed, and the areas are open to hunting, fishing and other allowable uses.

Hamburg Bend includes 1,576 acres in Otoe County and 321 acres in Fremont County, Iowa. It was part of a federal habitat restoration project completed in 1996.

It provides shallow water habitat, as well as bird watching, hiking, fishing and hunting activities to foot traffic.